What: Peer Supporter-facilitated support groups and courses in small groups of up to 8 persons.

For Whom: Persons struggling with mental health and related challenges that are looking for a healing-oriented community, a compassionate, non-judgmental, empowering space in which to share, learn and grow. No referral or diagnosis required. Just a desire to move forward in one’s unique journey of healing towards holistic well-being.

When: January – April, 2026

Where: We offer peer support groups in-person and online. Refer to the specific group for more information.

Fees: None

To sign up: Connect

Group Facilitators

Dennis Seary

After many years of alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness and mental health challenges, Dennis now lives a life filled with joy and happiness. He began experimenting with drugs and alcohol at the age of eleven. An abusive parent and a school life that included bullying, Dennis’ early years saw him grow with a a sense of low self esteem. Later in life Dennis began to drink to harmful results. In his fifties Dennis began to deal with anxiety and depression and found himself homeless. It took years to realize a way out. After getting a great deal of help and support, Dennis found a role for himself and indeed found himself. He is now living his life and his faith to the fullest. Supporting and serving community help him realize his purpose. Spending time with family also gives him a great deal of strength and he looks forward to a bright, exciting future without limits.

Percy D’Souza

GraceWins is an expression of Percy’s own life journey: from losing almost everything at the depths of his ‘dark nights of the soul’ which, among other things, included a diagnosis of ‘severe, treatment-resistant, psychotic depression’; to passionately living in the moment every day since, by grace, he was given a second chance at life in the spring of 2018. This is the core value Percy brings and realizes through GraceWins. He also brings to GraceWins a unique blend of skills earned through his diverse academic [PMP, MBA (Ivey), Post Grad – Communications (NMIMS), Electronics Engineering (MIT, Manipal)] and professional [Mental Health Peer Support, Healthcare Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Corporate Communications] experiences. And bold, maverick passion for the work @GraceWins.

Shawna Glaeser

Shawna has always been a creative individual, using art as a way of self expression. It wasn’t until she was dealing with several overwhelming, traumatic events in her life that she realized the true healing power that art had on her mind, body and soul. Creating art became a meditative and mindfulness practice for her. Shawna found art to be a calming and relaxing activity with many benefits for her mental health and well being. There is freedom in creativity which allows our imagination to run wild with no expectations. Shawna discovered that it was in the process of creating the art that she found her calmness, and upon finishing the art, it brought joy and pride.

Shawna knows that there are many that could benefit from Therapeutic Arts and wants to help guide others in this direction. She began
her journey as a Creative Arts facilitator in 2017, helping to empower others through the creative process of making art. In 2025 she completed her Therapeutic Arts Practitioner course and started her creative based wellness practice: Mindful Expressions ~Therapeutic Arts.

Tanya Brennan

Tanya is exceptional in her ability to connect with the most marginalized and vulnerable among us – the homeless, those struggling with addictions and mental illness. She works with them hands-on daily. Tanya’s exceptional ability has been hard won through her own lived experience with trauma, addictions, mental illness, loss and tragedy. She is a hard worker who believes that everyone deserves chances in life. She brings boundless energy, empathy and loving support to those she works with, striving hard for their successes. Because their successes are her successes. 

Peer Support Groups

Art Therapy Support Group for Women

“It’s not about being good at Art, its about Art being good for you.”

Mindful Expressions is a Therapeutic Arts practice that blends healing with creativity. This peer support group aims to use guided creative sessions to empower and motivate self-expression in a fun and engaging way. The goal is to create deeper connections with peers, gain a sense of fulfillment, work on personal growth and develop emotional regulation in a supportive, empathetic and nonjudgmental environment.

Date: Tuesdays: Starts Tuesday, January 13: 14 weeks

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Where: In-person: Muslim Welfare Residences, 732 Dundas Street East, Whitby

Facilitator: Shawna Glaeser

Mental Health Peer Support Group

This is a group for those of us that struggle with mental health challenges to connect, share, support and learn from each other as we strive to move forward on our unique journeys to being our best selves. A safe, non-judgmental, respectful, compassionate, empowering space for us to be.

Date: Mondays: Starts Monday, January 12, 2026: 14 weeks

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Where: Online: Google Meet

Facilitators: Dennis Seary, Percy D’Souza

Music & Mental Health Support Group for Women

If you enjoy music – listening, singing, playing – and you enjoy the company of others that do, then this group is for you. We connect through our common love of music. With the accompaniment of a guitar, we sing along to popular songs, share about our experiences, support each other and make rich connections with each other. No musical talent necessary. Only that you enjoy music and would like to connect with others that do.

Date: Wednesdays: Starts Wednesday, January 14: 14 weeks

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: In-person: Muslim Welfare Residences, 732 Dundas Street East, Whitby

Facilitator: Percy D’Souza and Tanya Brennan